Package conveyors with package timer escapement mechanism



Nov. 3, 1964 PACKAGE CONVEYORS w. F.-STREMKE, JR 3,155,222

WITH PACKAGE TIMER ESCAPEMENT MECHANISM Filed April 27, 1962 2 Sheets-SheetI l ATTOR NEYS Nov. 3, 1964 w. F. STREMKE, JR 3,155,222

PACKAGE CONVEYORS WITH PACKAGE TIMER ESCPEMET MECHANISM Filed April 27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III mslm

AT-formava matented Nov. 3, ltl

3 l55,222 PAQKASE CNVEYS WTH PACKAGE 'Ellis/EER ESEAPEMEN MEClANlSh/l William l?. Stremke, r., 3329 S. Springtield Ave., Milwaukee, Wis. Filed Apr. 27, 1%2, Ser. No. 199,696 4 Claims. (Cl. 19th-34) This invention relates to package conveyors with package timer escapernent mechanism.

Apparatus embodying the present invention is intended primarily for use with automatic labelling machines of the type shown in Stremke et al. United States patent application Serial No. 51,588, filed August 24, 1960. The automatic labelling machine shown therein automatically weighs and price marks packages which have previously been wrapped in a semi-automatic wrapping machine exemplified by the one shown in Stremke et al. United States Patent 2,917,886, or in pending Stremke et al. patent application Serial No. 711,368, iiled January 27, 1958, now US. Patent 3,045,496, granted July 24, 1962. In the aforesaid constructions, the automatic labelling machine is driven by a power take-off from the wrapping machine so that the cycle of operation of the labelling machine is necessarily in timed relationship to the cycle of the wrapping machine. Accordingly, there is automatic synchronization between the two machines and packages are smoothly transferred from one to the other.

AccordinU to the present invention, the labelling machine rnay be separated both physically and mechanically from the wrapping machine and may be independently powered. Accordingly, there is usually no inherent timed or cyclic relation between the operations of the two machines. Accordingly, Wrapped packages may be supplied to the labelling machine in random order, uncoordinated with the cycle of the labelling machine.

In this circumstance, and in order to time the feed of wrapped packages with the labelling cycle of the labelling machine, apparatus embodying the present invention is characterized by a package timing escapement which intervenes between the wrapping machine and the labelling machine. The escapement will receive the packages in random order and will supply such packages to the labelling machine in timed relation to the label machine cycle.

lnasmuch as the Wrapping machine and the automatic labelling machine are typically of the construction shown in the prior applications aforesaid, comprehensive disclosure thereof will not be repeated here, only those parts of the two machines which coact with the escapernent mechanism being illustrated in this application.

Gther advantages, features and objects of the invention will appear from the following disclosure, in which:

FG. l is a plan View of apparatus embodying the invention.

Fito. 2 is a side elevation of such apparatus, portions being cut away and shown in cross section.

I 3 is an end View of such apparatus.

FlG. 4 is a View similar to FIG. 2, but showing the parts in a different position in the escapement cycle.

FlGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are diagrammatic views illustrating the ilow of packages through the escapement mechanism with the parts thereof in different positions characteristic of different periods in the escapernent cycle.

As in application Serial No. 51,5 88 aforesaid, the label machine is provided with a set of sweep arms 1i? which periodically pick up a Wrapped package il from elevator table or bed l2 and advance the package in a labelling cycle to a scale 9, as described in the application aforesaid.

As aforestated, packages 11 may be delivered to the escapement table i2 from the wrapping machine in any convenient manner, for example on a gravity-type roller conveyor l2. These packages may arrive in random order. For example, packages may arrive individually or in closely spaced groups. However, for the proper operation of the labelling machine, packages must be deivered thereto in spaced relation, one at a time and in time with sweep arm operation, thus to be conveyed as successive workplaces by the sweep arms lil to the scale 9, etc.

For the purpose of separating the packages and to feed them in timed relation to the sweep arms il), the elevator table l2 comprises one element of an escapement mechanism. The escapement mechanism also includes a transrer conveyor consisting in the embodiment herein shown of a series of laterally spaced continuously driven belts lli. The elevator table l2 consists of a series of laterally spaced slats l5 which are interleaved with the belts 14 and which have a common elevating mechanism including a post lo which is guided for vertical movement in a vertical sleeve bearlng 17. At its bottom end, post 16 is provided with a cani roller 2t?, which rides on cam 2l on cam shaft 22.

Cam shaft 22 is driven by chainfZS from motor 24 through speed reduction transmission 25. The main drive shaft 2e for the automatic labelling machine may also be driven from the shaft 22 through the bevel gear set 27 best shown in FIGURE 3. Accordingly, the operation of the labelling machine with its sweep arms il) and the escapement mechanism is made mechanically independent of the operation of the wrapping machine.

Transfer conveyor belts ld are continuously driven by drive belt 2S, which passes around pulley 29 on shaft 22 and pulley 3@ on shaft S9. Belts le are supported on fore and aft pulleys 32, $3 on their respective shafts 33, 39, in turn supported on the mounting bracket 34. Bracket 3d also carries for each belt i4 an idler pulley 35 to give the belts ld an upwardly inclined run near their fore pulleys 32 which llattens to a level run near their aft pulleys 33. There is also a series of beit tightener pulleys 36 under the tension of springs 37 to keep the belts ld taut.

Belts ld operate at a fixed level and function in the escapement cycle to transfer packages ll from the gravity-type roller conveyor i3 to the automatic labelling machine.

In the course of the escapement cycle, the elevator table l2 moves between its various levels, as shown diagrammatically in FlGURES 5 8, in response to the turnof cam 2l. When the elevator table l2 is elevated, its stop abutment or nose lll arrests movement of the packages ll onto the belts le, as shown in FIGURES 5, 7 and 8. When the elevator table retracts to lowermost position, nose dil will descend below the level lof the belts le and packages on the roller conveyor will roll by gravity onto the belts i4 to be shifted toward the labelling machine, as shown in FIGURE 6.

Conveyor 13 may optionally be provided with a package drive means such as roller rtl driven by the belt 42 interconnecting pulleys d3 and 44 respectively on the roller shaft and pulley shaft When the package ll is stopped against the nose dit of the elevator l2, roller slips therebeneath and is ineilective to advance the package.

There is also a package brake consisting of a pad 45 having a series of brake ngers 46 extending uwardly between adjacent free rollers Sil, these being spaced apart a distance greater than the other rollers of conveyors i3 to accommodate the fingers 46 therebetween.

Pad d5 is mounted on an arm 47 having a swing bracket 43 by which it is pivotally connected on pin 49 to the side rails of the roller conveyor 13.

The lever 47 is subject to the upward thrust of a bell crank arm 52 which has a pivot 53 on fixed bracket 5l and an action arm Sli. provided with a cam follower roller 55, which rides on a cam 56 on cam shaft 22. The cam S6 times the action of the braking Afingers 46 to stop packages in those stages of the escapernent cycle shown in FGURES 5, 7 and 8, and to release the packages as shown in FIGURE 6.

There is also a fixed stop bar 31 mounted on brackets 57. Elevator l2 is movable with respect to stop bar 3l. It lifts the package over the bar when fully elevated as shown in FlGURES 5 and 8 and lowers the package to abut the bar, as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

The sequence of the escapement cycle is best illustrated in the diagrammatic views 5 8?. FIGURE 5 shows elevator 12 in its uppermost position with package lila in the course of being swept from the elevator by the sweep arm liti 4onto the scale 9 of the weighing machine. Package illy is stopped against the abutment nose il of the raised elevator l?. and package llc is held by the brake lingers 45. Belt conveyor 14 is moving continuously, but is below the elevator l2. and is ineffective to convey any package.

In FIGURE 6, the cycle has proceeded to the point where the sweep arm 1i) has moved the package 11a onto the scale 9, elevator 12 has retracted below the level of belts 14 and package 1lb has been advanced by the live roller l onto the belts 14. Brake lingers 46 are retracted to permit gravity advance of packages 11C. Sweep arm iii is returning at an elevated level as a preliminary to picking up package 1lb.

FIGURE 7 shows the next position in the escapement cycle in which the elevator 12 has moved upwardly from its FlGURE 6 position to an intermediate position where it remains below the level of `the flat run of the belts 14 so that the belts M may continue to advance the package 11b forwardly and against the stop 31. Package 11C has advanced into abutment with the nose 4@ on the elevator 12 and brake fingers i6 are elevated to block the approach of newly arriving package 11d. Sweep arm ll@ is lowering into sweep position behind package 11b.

in FIGURE S, which is similar to FIGURE 5, elevator 12 has been raised lto its uppermost position with package 11b in the course of being advanced by the sweep arm 1i?. Package 11e abuts the elevator nose il and package 11d is held by the brake 46.

From the foregoing cycle, it is clear that the escapement table 12, stop 3l, belts i4, and the brake 46 function in response to the rotation of shaft 22. and its cams 21, 56 to transfer the packages trom roller conveyor 13 into the labelling machine in timed relation to the operation of the sweep arms lil and the related functions of the labelling machine. Accordingly, packages i may arrive in random order, but are `transferred by the escapement mechanism aforesaid to the labelling machine in a sequence which is synchronized With the labelling machine function.

What is claimed is:

1. Package conveying apparatus comprising an input conveyor on which packages arrive in random order and an output conveyor by which packages are discharged at spaced intervals, characterized by package transfer escapement means intermediate said input and `output conveyors for transferring packages from the input to the output conveyor in timed relation to the output conveyor, said escapement means comprising:

(a) a continuously running transfer conveyor intermediate said input and output conveyors,

(b) a package elevator for lifting packages off said transfer conveyor,

(c) said elevator having a stop proximate said input conveyor providing an abutment against which oncoming packages are held against movement onto said transfer conveyor while said elevator is elevated and which releases said packages when the elevator is retracted, and

(d) a fixed stop proximate said output conveyor to which the transfer conveyor advances packages for abutment thcreagainst and above which the elevator lifts said packages when it is fully elevated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which:

(e) said transfer conveyor comprises laterally spaced driven belts, and

(f) said elevator comprises laterally spaced lift slats interleaved with said belts.

3. The apparatus of claim l in which:

(g) said input conveyor comprises a gravity roller conveyor,

(h) said escapement means further comprises a package brake having upwardly extending fingers disposed between adjacent rollers of said input conveyor and means synchronized with said elevator to project said lingers upwardly to arrest packages in timed relation to the transfer of preceding packages on said transfer conveyor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in further combination with package drive means proximate the elevator stop for advancing a package onto said transfer conveyor when said elevator stop is retracted to release said package.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,679,919 Koning lune 1, 1954 2,686,603 Lawson Aug. 17, 1954 

1. PACKAGE CONVEYING APPARATUS COMPRISING AN IMPUT CONVEYOR ON WHICH PACKAGES ARRIVE IN RANDOM ORDER AND AN OUTPUT CONVEYOR BY WHICH PACKAGES ARE DISCHARGED AT SPACED INTERVALS, CHARACTERIZED BY PACKAGE TRANSFER ESCAPEMENT MEANS INTERMEDIATE SAID INPUT AND OUTPUT CONVEYORS FOR TRANSFERRING PACKAGES FROM THE INPUT TO THE OUTPUT CONVEYOR IN TIMED RELATION TO THE OUTPUT CONVEYOR, SAID ESCAPEMENT MEANS COMPRISING: (A) A CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING TRANSFER CONVEYOR INTERMEDIATE SAID INPUT AND OUTPUT CONVEYORS, (B) A PACKAGE ELEVATOR FOR LIFTING PACKAGES OFF SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR. (C) SAID ELEVATOR HAVING A STOP PROXIMATE SAID INPUT CONVEYOR PROVIDING AN ABUTMENT AGAINST WHICH ONCOMING PACKAGES ARE HELD AGAINST MOVEMENT ONTO SAID TRANSFER CONVEYOR WHILE SAID ELEVATOR IS ELEVATED AND WHICH RELEASES SAID PACKAGES WHEN THE ELEVATOR IS RETRACTED, AND (D) A FIXED STOP PROXIMATE SAID OUTPUT CONVEYOR TO WHICH THE TRANSFER CONVEYOR ADVANCES PACKAGES FOR ABUTMENT THEREAGAINST AND ABOVE WHICH THE ELEVATOR LIFTS SAID PACKAGES WHEN IT IS FULLY ELEVATED. 